A consumer advocate is urging Alice Springs Council to take a lead in stopping petrol price gouging in the town.

Professor Frank Zumbo has told a council committee meeting the terminal gate price of petrol is currently 137.7 cents a litre, but motorists in the central Australian town are being charged more than 165 cents a litre.

He says council should consider opening its own petrol outlet to promote healthy competition.

"I actually think you need more competitors," he said.

"I actually think you need one more effective competitor and that is what I raised with the council last night.

"I think the council has a role in encouraging a new competitor in town.

"If a new independent competitor won't come to town, I think the council should think about opening their own outlet.

"Introduce a bit of competition, some genuine competition."

Professor Zumbo says Alice Springs motorists are being ripped off.

"The price should be lower in Alice Springs," he said.

"For example, late last year the wholesale price fell about 10 cents (a litre).

"We saw none of that in Alice Springs.

"Recently, the wholesale price has crept up a little bit and, of course, prices have gone up in Alice Springs."

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.